The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticized what it called an effort by the acting clerk of the National Assembly to prevent Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from returning to the Senate after serving a six-month suspension, which the party described as unfair.
The National Assembly clerk reportedly sent a letter to the senator saying she could not resume her duties because her case is still in court.
According to the letter, she must wait until the legal proceedings are complete before resuming her legislative activities.
In a statement signed by PDP’s national publicity secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the party said the move appeared to be a deliberate attempt by the APC-led Senate under Senator Godswill Akpabio to block representation for the people of Kogi Central Senatorial District, effectively silencing their voice in the Senate.
The PDP added that using the National Assembly bureaucracy to target an elected senator violates the Constitution and Senate rules. They described this as a dangerous act against democracy and national stability.
Ologunagba further said this action is part of repeated tactics by the APC-controlled Senate and Federal Government to suppress opposition voices, highlighting growing authoritarian tendencies under the APC government.
The statement also raised concerns about attacks on women in leadership, pointing out that the reported harassment of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan mirrors past allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio regarding women in the National Assembly.
PDP urged the Senate President to address these allegations instead of allowing the National Assembly bureaucracy to intimidate or block Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan from performing her duties.
The party said the six-month suspension was unjust and supports the people of Kogi Central in opposing this action.
The party cautioned the National Assembly clerk to remain neutral and follow proper rules, warning against becoming a political tool that undermines democracy and the rule of law.
Finally, the PDP called on international organizations, democracy advocates, and rights groups to condemn the alleged harassment of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan. The party also encouraged the senator to ignore the clerk’s letter and prepare to resume her duties without obstruction.
